Improvement in traction-engines



G. W. PITTS, TRAGTION ENGINE.

4No; 112,135. Patented Feb. 28, 1871.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIGE.

GEORGE W. FITTS, OF OBERLIN, OHIO.

IMPROVEM ENT IN TRACTlON-ENGINES.

lSpecification forming .part of Letters Patent No.` 112,135, datedFebruary 28, 1871.

I, GEORGE W. FrrTs, of the village of Oberlin, in the county of Lorainand State of Ohio, have invented an Improved Steam-Vehicle, of which thefollowing is a specification:

The nature of my invention consists in the construction and arrangementsof the various parts `of a steam-vehicle in such a manner as to bestpermit the application of steam-power to the same for the variouspurposes that a movable power of this kind may be 'applied to, such asmoving over common roads, hauling heavy loads, plowing and otheragricultural work, acting as a fire-engine, vand in various other placestoo numerous here to mention.

The two drivin g-wheels of this vehicle are arranged each side of avertical steam-boiler by means of axles, which are rmly attached to thesides of the same, permitting the wheels to revolve upon these axles.These axles are made hollow at the center, so as to permit the passageof water through them, for the double purpose o f keeping them cooledfrom the heat of the boiler, and at the same time furnishing a supply ofwater to the boiler.

The third or guide wheel of the vehicle is a peculiar device, and is soarranged that its use will give guidance and direction to the movementsof the whole machine.

The water-tank, which is formed of iron, carries a supply of water forthe boiler, and forms the body or frame of the vehicle. It is boltedfirmly at one end to the lower and front side of the boiler, and at theother end it rests upon the guide or third wheel, thus connecting thethree wheels and boiler, at the saine time forming abed or iioor for theengines and gearing, with room also for the engineer.

The boiler is so arranged that it may be heated with wood, coal, orcoal-oil. Thus all is arranged so as to give the greatest power,compactness, lightness, economy, simplicity, ndd efficiency needed in amachine of this Description of Vthc Accompanying Drawing.

Figure 1 is a side view of a machine embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is asurface view of the same. Figs. 3 and 4 are sectional views of theparts.

A is the stea1n-boiler, constructed ina cylindI'ical form, and standingvertically when in its place as attached to the driving-wheels andwater-tank. It has an upper and .middle head, the lower end being fittedwith a lirebox, around which, and between it and the outer shell of theboiler, is a .space fitted for water, which opens into and connects withthe interior or steam chamber of the same. Through the middle head areinserted small tubes or iiues, which pass down into the tirebox, withclosed lower and open upper ends. They are supplied with water from theboiler, andare heated in the fire-box. Through the middle and upperheads passes a iiue, opening' at the lower end into the {ire-box and atthe upper end into the air. This iue carries off the smoke. To the sidesof this boiler arc firmly attached the vaxles O, Fig. 2, on which thedriving-wheels B, Fig. 2, revolve. Inthe rear, and below the axle, areplaced the furnace-door S and fuel-box T.

B B are the driving-wheels. They are substantially made with broad facesand peculiar construction, (for description of which reference is madeto my application for Letters Patent for the same, made January 26,1871,) and are made to revolve upon the axles O O. Upon the sides ofthese wheels next to the boiler are firmly attached large pinion-wheelsD D, Fig 2, by which means the power of the engine is communicated tothem, causing them to moveover the surface on which they rest.

G C are the driving-shafts. These shafts areprovidcd with smallpinonwheels K K at one end, and a crank, G, at or near the other, andare also arranged to receive balance- Wheels or gearing. Thepinion-wheel K engages with the large pinion-wheel D upon thedriving-wheel B, and the crank G is connected, by the pitman R, to theengines F. These shafts C revolve upon bearings rlnly attached to theboiler, and are located in the rear and above the axles of thedriving-wheels, as at O, Fig. 2.

D D are the large pinion-wheels, rigidly attached to the driving-wheelsB Bupon the surface next to the boiler, and are a little less indiameter than the driving\\-'heels. They receive the motion of theengines by means of the shafts C, and small pinoli-wheels K, and pitmenIt, thus transferring the same to the driving-wheels.

S is the water-tank. This tank is formed of galvanizedor tinned iron,and of sufficient thickness and Vstrength to form the bed or iloor ofthe machine, carry the water for the4 boiler, sustain the engines andgearing, and

connect the guide-wheel -with the drivingwheelsand boiler. It is placedin a horizontal positiouin front of the boiler E, Fig. 1, the end nexttothe same being fitted and bolted firmly to the side of the same. Thefront end rests upon and is bolted to the upper circle, I, of theguide-wheel, as at H, Fig.- 1. The interior of this tank is partitionedwith sheets of perforated tinned iron, to prevent the water from washingabout when the steamer is in motion. It has apertures in the top forreceiving and discharging the water.

F F .are the engine-cylinders. They are placed on the top of thewater-tank and near to the boiler, as at F F, Fig. 2, and near enough tothe edge of the tank to permit the pitman R to work between the boilerand driving` wheel, .so that it may connect with the driving-shaft G onthe opposite side of the driving-wheel, as at It, Figs. l and 2. Thesteam is conveyed into these cylinders by a pipe from the top of theboiler, which is fitted with valves to regulate the flow of the same,and all other necessary gearing for the engines is connected therewith.

Il is the guide or third wheel of the vehicle. It is substantially made,and maybe ofthe same construction as the driving-wheels, and is aboutone-half their size. It revolves upon an axle, V, Fig. 3', which isbolted firmly at the ends to the lower surface of the circle J. Thiscircle has a convex upper surface and a pinioned outer one, J, Fig. 4.On the upper surface of this circle is Iplaced the circle I. Thiscircle4 has a concave under surface, which fits the convex upper surfaceof the circle J, permitting the same to revolve in it, I, Fig. 4.

, These circles are held together by means of a standard, X, Fig. 3,that is attached to the axle V each side of the wheel H, Fig. 3, risin gup and uniting-over the same into a swiveljoint, Fig. 3, permitting itto revolve upon the same, this joint being suspended from the iloor ofthe tank or frame E, which rests upon the circle I. This wheel H, withthe circles I and J and axle V thus arranged, is placed under the frontend of the water-tank E, Fig, 1, whose under surface is iitted toreceive it, and is fastened firmly to the same, H, Fig. 1, and when thusplaced may be revolved so as to guide the machine in any direction. l

I M is a shaft, furnished with a hantwlieel,l L, upon one end, and asmall pinion-Wheel, N,

at the other. This shaft is attached vertically to the front end of thewater-tank, as at Fig. 1,'hy means of bearings which permit it torevolve. The small pinion-wheel N engages with the pinioned surface ofthe circle J. The hand-wheel L rises above the floor of ,th e tanks. Byrevolving the wheel L the guidewheel H is made to turn in any desireddirection.

O O are the hollow axles, on which the driving.-wheels rest and revolve.These axles are irrnly attached to the sides of the vertical boiler A,one endvpassing through the same. This end is formed circular, and isthreaded on the'outer side and screws into a solid block, U, Fig. 2,tted to receive it, andbolted firmlyto the inside of the boiler. Theother end 'is fitted for the reception of the hub of the driving-wheelo, Fig. 2. On the outer surface of the boiler, around this axle, isbolted a cap or shoulder, Q, Fig. 1. This cap` has a circular opening,which just iits the axle, and acts as a rest for the saine, Q. Fig. 2.This shoulder is perforated on the side next to the cylinders with anaperture, -W, Fig. 2, of the same size of that in the axle, which passesthrough it,

connecting with' the hollow within the axle,v

thus forming an opening from the external surface of the axle and boilerto its internal.

surface, as at W, Fig. 2, forming a passage for the water to the boilerand keeping the axle cool.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secureby Letters Patent, is the following:

l. The arrangement, in a steam-vehicleof :the vertical boiler A, axles0, driving-wheels B, large pinions D, shafts and cranks C G, smallpinions K, pitmen It, cylinders F, water# tank E, and steering apparatusH I J V, as herein described and set forth.

' 2. The combination of hollow axles O with the-boiler ofsteam-vehicles, for the purpose of conveying water to the boiler, andfor keeping said axles cool, substantially as sct forth and described.

GEORGE' W. FITTS.

Witnesses L. P. FREUND, T. C. BRECHT.

